Tape connecting method, member and tool

ABSTRACT

A method of connecting respective one end portions of two carrier tapes to each other, each of the two tapes having accommodating pockets at a first pitch and tape-feed holes at a second pitch, each of the accommodating pockets accommodating an electric component, the method including aligning a tape connecting member which includes a flat main portion having tape-feed holes at a third pitch equal to the second pitch, and caulking projections projecting perpendicularly from the flat main portion, with the respective one end portions of the two tapes, such that tape-feed holes of the connecting member are aligned with respective tape-feed holes of the two tapes, causing at least two caulking projections of the connecting member to penetrate through the respective thickness of the two tapes, so that the flat main portion of the connecting member contacts a respective major surface of the two tapes, and caulking respective portions of the two caulking projections that penetrate out of the respective other surfaces of the two tapes, so that the respective one end portions of the two tapes are connected to each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a method of connectingrespective end portions of two component carrier tapes to each other andto a connecting member and a connecting tool which are used in carryingout the connecting method.

[0003] 2. Related Art Statement

[0004] There is known a component carrier tape which has a plurality ofcomponent accommodating pockets at a first pitch along a first straightline, and has a plurality of tape-feed holes at a second pitch along asecond straight line parallel to the first straight line. Each of thecomponent accommodating pockets accommodates an electric component(“EC”) therein. This carrier tape is fed at a feeding pitch equal to thefirst pitch, so that the ECs are supplied one by one from theaccommodating pockets. The carrier tape which is wound around a tapereel or is stored in a tape storing member is drawn, starting with itsinitial portion, and is fed forward by a tape feeding device. When thecarrier tape is consumed to its terminal end portion, an operatorconnects the terminal end portion of the consumed carrier tape to aninitial end portion of a new carrier tape, so that the ECs aresuccessively supplied from the new tape following the prior tape.

[0005] Conventionally, one or more adhesive tapes and/or a tapeconnecting chip have or has been used to connect two carrier tapes. In afirst case where each of two carrier tapes is a paper-based tape whichincludes (A) a component accommodating tape consisting of (a1) acard-based main tape having a number of through-holes formed through thethickness thereof, and (a2) a bottom tape adhered to a back surface ofthe main tape, and (B) a top tape which is adhered to a top surface ofthe main tape to close respective upper openings of the through-holes,usually, the respective component accommodating tapes of the two carriertapes are connected to each other with an adhesive tape, and respectivetop tapes of the two carrier tapes are connected to each other withanother adhesive tape. Meanwhile, in a second case where each of twocarrier tapes is an embossed-type tape which includes (A) a componentaccommodating tape which is provided by a synthetic-resin-based tapehaving a number of embossed portions in a lengthwise direction thereof,and (B) a top tape which is adhered to a top surface of the componentaccommodating tape to close respective upper openings of the embossedportions, usually, the respective accommodating tapes of the two carriertapes are connected to each other with a metal chip as a tape connectingchip, and respective top tapes of the two carrier tapes are connected toeach other with an adhesive tape. The metal chip is provided by anelongate metal plate having a plurality of tape-feed holes at a pitchequal to the pitch of the tape-feed holes of each carrier tape. Themetal chip has a plurality of connecting holes each of which is formedby burring at a location between a corresponding pair of adjacenttape-feed holes and has a burr resulting from the burring. The operatorconnects the two accommodating tapes by pressing the chip against thosetapes and thereby causing the burrs of the chip to bite into the tapes.

[0006] In the above-described first case, however, the two paper-basedtapes may not be connected to each other with a sufficiently greatconnecting strength, or the respective end portions of the two tapes maybe connected to each other such that one of the tape-feed holes of theconnected end portions has an irregular pitch different from the regularpitch of each tape. That is, the two tapes cannot be connected to eachother with a sufficiently high reliability. Meanwhile, in theabove-described second case, the two embossed-type tapes can beconnected to each other with a somewhat higher reliability. However, ina third case where two paper-based tapes are connected to each otherusing a metal chip, those two tapes cannot be connected to each otherwith a satisfactory reliability. Thus, the third case is not practical.The metal chip is needed to include a thin main portion which iselastically deformable with a carrier tape. Accordingly, it is difficultto form burrs each of which projects from the thin main portion so as tohave a sufficient length or height. On the other hand, in the case wherea metal chip having short burrs is caused to bite into the twopaper-based tapes, the two tapes cannot be connected to each other witha sufficiently great strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide theart of connecting two tapes to each other with a satisfactoryreliability irrespective of what sort of tapes they are.

[0008] The present invention provide a tape connecting method, a tapeconnecting member, and a tape connecting tool which have one or more oftechnical features which are described below in respective paragraphsgiven parenthesized sequential numbers (1) to (18). Any technicalfeature which includes another technical feature shall do so byreferring, at the beginning, to the parenthesized sequential numbergiven to that technical feature. Thus, two or more of the followingtechnical features may be combined, if appropriate. Each technicalfeature may be accompanied by a supplemental explanation, as needed.

[0009] (1) According to a first feature of the present invention, thereis provided a method of connecting respective one end portions of afirst carrier tape and a second carrier tape, to each other, each of thefirst and second carrier tapes having a plurality of componentaccommodating pockets at a first pitch along a first straight line, andhaving a plurality of tape-feed holes at a second pitch along a secondstraight line parallel to the first straight line, each of the componentaccommodating pockets accommodating an electric component therein, themethod comprising the steps of: aligning a tape connecting member whichincludes (a) a flat main portion having a plurality of tape-feed holesat a third pitch equal to the second pitch, and (b) a plurality ofcaulking projections projecting from the flat main portion in adirection perpendicular thereto, with the respective one end portions ofthe first and second carrier tapes, such that at least one first hole ofthe tape-feed holes of the tape connecting member is aligned with atleast one of the tape-feed holes of the first carrier tape and at leastone second hole of the tape-feed holes of the tape connecting member isaligned with at least one of the tape-feed holes of the second carriertape, causing at least one first projection of the caulking projectionsof the tape connecting member to penetrate through a thickness of thefirst carrier tape, and at least one second projection of the caulkingprojections to penetrate through a thickness of the second carrier tape,so that the flat main portion of the tape connecting member contacts oneof opposite surfaces of the first carrier tape and one of oppositesurfaces of the second carrier tape, and caulking respective portions ofthe first and second projections that penetrate out of the respectiveother surfaces of the first and second carrier tapes, so that therespective one end portions of the first and second carrier tapes areconnected to each other. In the present method, the caulking projectionsof the tape connecting member penetrate through the two carrier tapes,so that the main portion of the connecting member contacts respectiveone surfaces of the two carrier tapes, and respective portions of thecaulking projections that penetrate out of the respective other surfacesof the two tapes are caulked. Thus, the respective end portions of thetwo carrier tapes are connected to each other. Not only twoembossed-type carrier tapes but also two paper-based carrier tapes canbe connected to each other with a sufficiently high reliability. Each ofthe caulking projections can have so great a length or height that eachcaulking projection can penetrate though the thickness of each tape anda portion of the each projection that penetrates out of the othersurface of the each tape can be caulked. Thus, even the paper-basedtapes can be connected to each other with a sufficiently great strength.

[0010] (2) According to a second feature of the present invention whichincludes the first feature (1), the tape-feed holes of the each of thefirst and second carrier tapes are formed in one of widthwise oppositeend portions of the each carrier tape, and wherein a width of the tapeconnecting member is not greater than double a distance between a centerof each of the tape-feed holes and one of widthwise opposite end edgesof the each carrier tape that is nearer to the center of the eachtape-feed hole than the other end edge. Since the width of the tapeconnecting member is so small, the connecting member may have a greatthickness while it maintains the ability of being deformed to follow thecarrier tapes. If the connecting member has a great thickness, thecaulking projections can have a sufficiently great strength, even in thecase where the projections are formed by bending respective portions ofthe connecting member relative to a remaining portion of the same.

[0011] (3) According to a third feature of the present invention, thereis provided a tape connecting member for connecting respective one endportions of a first tape and a second tape, to each other, each of thefirst and second tapes having a plurality of tape-feed holes at a firstpitch, comprising a flat main portion which has a plurality of tape-feedholes at a second pitch; and a plurality of caulking projections whichproject from the flat main portion in a direction perpendicular thereto.The present tape connecting member may be used in carrying out the tapeconnecting method according to the first or second feature (1) or (2).

[0012] (4) According to a fourth feature of the present invention whichincludes the third feature (3), the tape connecting member is formed ofa metal plate, and the caulking projections are formed by bending aplurality of portions of the metal plate such that the bent portions areperpendicular to a remaining portion of the metal plate. This tapeconnecting member can be produced with ease and at low cost.

[0013] (5) According to a fifth feature of the present invention whichincludes the third or fourth feature (3) or (4), the caulkingprojections comprise a plurality of first caulking projections which arearranged in a widthwise direction of the main flat portion, and aplurality of second caulking projections which are arranged in thewidthwise direction of the flat portion and which are apart from thefirst caulking projections in a lengthwise direction of the flatportion. The present tape connecting member has the plurality of firstor second caulking projections which are arranged in the widthwisedirection of the main portion, and each of the first or second caulkingprojections may have a small width to be easily caulked. Thus, the twotapes can be connected to each other with a sufficiently great strength.In addition, the present tape connecting member may have a lengthsmaller than that of a different tape connecting member which has thesame number of caulking projections arranged in a single array in alengthwise direction thereof.

[0014] (6) According to a sixth feature of the present invention whichincludes any one of the third to fifth features (3) to (5), the caulkingprojections comprise at least one Y-shaped projection including abifurcated free end portion. When the bifurcated free end portion of theY-shaped projection is caulked by a plane or flat pressing surface, thebifurcated portion is bent such that the distance between the twobranches or arms thereof increases, i.e., the bifurcated portion isopened outward. Thus, the Y-shaped projection is effectively preventedfrom coming off the first or second tape, and the two tapes areconnected to each other with increased connecting strength.

[0015] (7) According to a seventh feature of the present invention whichincludes any one of the third to sixth features (3) to (6), the caulkingprojections comprise at least one inverted-J-shaped projection includinga curved free end portion which is curved in a direction having acomponent parallel to a widthwise direction of the main portion. Whenthe curved free end portion of the inverted-J-shaped projection iscaulked by a flat pressing surface, the curved portion is bent in thehaving the component parallel to the widthwise direction of the mainportion. Thus, the inverted-J-shaped projection is effectively preventedfrom coming off the first or second tape, and the two tapes areconnected to each other with increased connecting strength.

[0016] (8) According to an eighth feature of the present invention whichincludes the seventh feature (7), the inverted-J-shaped projection has arecess formed in one of widthwise opposite end portions thereof, and afree end edge inclined with respect to the widthwise direction thereofsuch that one of opposite ends of the free end edge on a side of the oneend portion is more distant from the main portion than the other end ofthe free end edge on a side of the other end portion. The curved portionof the inverted-J-shaped projection is defined by the recess and thefree end edge. The curved portion of the projection may be providedwithin a range corresponding to the width of a remaining portion of theprojection. In this case, when the inverted-J-shaped projectionpenetrates through the first or second tape, an unnecessarily large holeis not formed in the tape. Thus, the accuracy of connecting of tapes isnot lowered. In addition, since the width of the curved portion issmaller than that of the remaining portion, the curved portion caneasily be caulked.

[0017] (9) According to a ninth feature of the present invention whichincludes any one of the third to eighth features (3) to (8), thecaulking projections comprise two inverted-J-shaped projections whichinclude respective curved free end portions which are curved inrespective directions having respective components which are opposite toeach other.

[0018] (10) According to a tenth feature of the present invention whichincludes the ninth feature (9), the respective curved free end portionsof the two inverted-J-shaped projections are curved in the respectivedirections toward each other. Alternatively, the curved free endportions of the two inverted-J-shaped projections may be curved in therespective directions away from each other.

[0019] (11) According to an eleventh feature of the present inventionwhich includes any one of the third to eighth features (3) to (10), theflat main portion has an elongate shape, and the tape-feed holescomprise three tape-feed holes and the caulking projections comprise atleast four caulking projections including two projections which projectfrom lengthwise opposite end portions of the elongate main portion,respectively, and two projections one of which projects from a firstintermediate portion of the main portion between one pair of adjacentholes of the three tape-feed holes and the other of which projects froma second intermediate portion of the main portion between the other pairof adjacent holes of the three tape-feed holes. In the case where thetape connecting member has three tape-feed holes, the connecting membermay connect the two tapes to each other such that one end hole out ofthe three holes is aligned with one of the tape-feed holes of one tapeand the other end hole is aligned with one of the tape-feed holes of theother tape. In this case, each of the respective end portions of the twotapes to be connected is cut along a straight line passing through acenter of one tape-feed hole thereof, and the middle hole of the threeholes is aligned with the respective half tape-feed holes of therespective end portions of the two tapes. Therefore, the two pairs ofprojections which project from the first and second intermediateportions of the main portion, respectively, penetrate through anintermediate portion between the half hole and its adjacent full hole ofone tape and an intermediate portion between the half hole and itsadjacent full hole of the other tape, respectively. Therefore, even ifthe connecting member may have a small length, it can connect the twotapes with a sufficiently great strength. So long as the tape connectingmember can connect two tapes with a sufficiently great strength, theshorter the better, because the shorter connecting member can smoothlybe fed with the tapes and can be produced at low cost. A tape connectingmember which has only two tape-feed holes is the shortest. In this case,each of the respective end portions of the two tapes to be connected iscut along a straight line passing through an intermediate portionbetween a pair of adjacent tape-feed holes thereof, and accordingly thedistance between the end edge and its adjacent full hole of each tape isso short that it is difficult to cause the two intermediate pairs ofcaulking projections to penetrate into the tapes. Thus, it is preferredthat the tape connecting member have three tape-feed holes.

[0020] (12) According to a twelfth feature of the present inventionwhich includes any one of the third to eleventh features (3) to (11),the flat main portion has an elongate shape, and the tape-feed holescomprise three tape-feed holes and the caulking projections compriseeight caulking projections including four projections two of whichproject from one of lengthwise opposite end portions of the elongatemain portion and the other two of which project from the otherlengthwise end portion of the elongate main portion, and including fourprojections two of which project from a first intermediate portion ofthe main portion between one pair of adjacent holes of the threetape-feed holes and the other two of which project from a secondintermediate portion of the main portion between the other pair ofadjacent holes of the three tape-feed holes.

[0021] (13) According to a thirteenth feature of the present inventionwhich includes any one of the third twelfth features (3) to (12), theflat main portion has an elongate shape, and the caulking projectionscomprise at least four caulking projections including (a) two Y-shapedprojections each of which includes a bifurcated free end portion andwhich project from lengthwise opposite end portions of the elongate mainportion, respectively, and (b) two inverted-J-shaped projections each ofwhich includes a curved free end portion which is curved in a directionhaving a component parallel to a widthwise direction of the elongatemain portion and which project from two intermediate portions of themain portion, respectively, which are apart from each other in alengthwise direction thereof. In this tape connecting member, the twoY-shaped projections may be caulked in opposite directions,respectively, and the two inverted-J-shaped projections may be caulkedin opposite directions, respectively. In this case, tests have provedthat the amount of relative movement between the tape connecting memberand each of the two tapes is minimized. This advantage is maximized inthe case where the caulking projections comprise two pairs of Y-shapedprojections each pair of which are arranged in the widthwise of theelongate main portion, and four inverted-J-shaped projections each pairof which are arranged in the widthwise of the main portion such that therespective curved end portions thereof are curved toward each other.

[0022] (14) According to a fourteenth feature of the present inventionwhich includes any one of the third to thirteenth features (3) to (13),the flat main portion has an elongate shape, and wherein the caulkingprojections comprise eight caulking projections including (a) fourY-shaped projections each of which includes a bifurcated free endportion, two of which project from one of lengthwise opposite endportions of the elongate main portion, and the other two of whichproject from the other lengthwise end portion of the main portion, andincluding (b) four inverted-J-shaped projections each of which includesa curved free end portion which is curved in a direction having acomponent parallel to a widthwise direction of the elongate mainportion, two of which project from one of two intermediate portions ofthe main portion which are apart from each other in a lengthwisedirection thereof, and the other two of which project from the otherintermediate portion of the main portion.

[0023] (15) According to a fifteenth feature of the present inventionwhich includes the thirteenth feature (13), the tape-feed holes comprisethree tape-feed holes, wherein one of the two inverted-J-shapedprojections projects from a first intermediate portion of the elongatemain portion between one pair of adjacent holes of the three tape-feedholes and the other inverted-J-shaped projection projects from a secondintermediate portion of the main portion between the other pair ofadjacent holes of the three tape-feed holes, and wherein one of the twoY-shaped projections is distant from the one inverted-J-shapedprojection by a distance equal to the second pitch and the otherY-shaped projection is distant from the other inverted-J-shapedprojection by the distance equal to the second pitch.

[0024] (16) According to a sixteenth feature of the present invention,there is provided a tape connecting tool for connecting respective oneend portions of a first tape and a second tape, to each other, each ofthe first and second tapes having a plurality of tape-feed holes at apredetermined pitch, comprising a pair of pressing plates havingrespective pressing surfaces which are opposed to each other; a pressingmechanism which supports the two pressing plates such that the twopressing plates are movable toward, and away from, each other and whichmoves the respective pressing surfaces of the two pressing plates towardopposite surfaces of each of the respective one end portions of thefirst and second tapes, respectively; a plurality of positioningprojections which project, in an array, from one of the respectivepressing surfaces of the two pressing plates, and which fit in at leastone of the tape-feed holes of the first tape and at least one of thetape-feed holes of the second tape and thereby position the first andsecond tapes relative to one of the two pressing plates which has theone pressing surface; and a plurality of receiving holes which areformed in the other pressing surface such that the receiving holes areopposed to the positioning projections, respectively, and which receivethe positioning projections, respectively, which pass through therespective tape-feed holes of the first and second tapes, when the twopressing plates are moved toward each other by the pressing mechanism.When an operator uses the present tape connecting tool to connect therespective end portions of the two tapes to each other, first, theoperator may set, on the tool, the tape connecting member according toany one of the third to fifteenth features (3) to (15), and then he orshe inserts one or more positioning projections into one or moretape-feed holes of each of the respective end portions of the two tapes,so as to position the two end portions relative to each other. In thisstate, the operator operates the pressing mechanism to move the twopressing plates toward each other. Thus, the flat main portion of thetape connecting member is moved toward the two tapes, and the caulkingprojections of the connecting member penetrate through the tapes and arepressed against the pressing surface of the other pressing plate opposedto the one pressing plate from which the positioning projectionsproject. In this state, if the operator further moves the two pressingplates toward each other, the main portion of the connecting member isfurther moved toward the two tapes and accordingly the caulkingprojections are caulked as such by the pressing surface of the otherpressing plate. Eventually, the main portion of the connecting member isbrought into close contact with the respective one surfaces of the twotapes. In this state, respective portions of the caulking projectionswhich penetrate out of the respective other surfaces of the two tapesare completely caulked, so that the connecting member is effectivelyprevented from coming off the tapes. Thus, the two tapes are stronglyconnected to each other. Though respective free end portions of thepositioning projections pass through, and project from, the respectiveother surfaces of the two tapes, those end portions are received in thereceiving holes formed in the pressing surface of the other pressingmember. Thus, the two pressing plates are safely allowed to move towardeach other.

[0025] (17) According to a seventeenth feature of the present inventionwhich includes the sixteenth feature (16), the pressing mechanismcomprises a first lever having an elongate shape; a second leverincluding a first member, a second member, and a first axis member whichconnects the first and second members to each other such that the firstand second members are pivotable relative to each other about the firstaxis member; a second axis member which extends parallel to the firstaxis member at a position distant from the first axis member in alengthwise direction of the first lever and which connects the firstlever and the first member to each other such that the first lever andthe first member are pivotable relative to each other about the secondaxis member; the first lever and the second member including respectivefulcrum-defining portions which, when one of opposite end portions ofthe second member that is opposite to the other end portion thereofconnected by the first axis member to the first member, and acorresponding one of opposite end portions of the first lever are movedtoward each other, engage each other to define a fulcrum for the firstand second members of the second lever to be pivoted relative to eachother about the first axis member; and the two pressing plates beingattached to one of opposite end portions of the first member that isopposite to the other end portion thereof connected by the first axismember to the second member, and the other end portion of the firstlever, respectively. In this pressing mechanism, one of opposite endportions of the second member that is opposite to the other end portionthereof connected to the first member, and a corresponding one ofopposite end portions of the first lever function a pair of handleportions. When the operator applies a force to the pair of handleportions to move them toward each other, the pair of fulcrum-definingportions engage each other to define a fulcrum for the first and secondmembers of the second lever to be pivoted relative to each other. Thus,the first member is pivoted about the second axis member, andaccordingly one of opposite end portions of the first member that isopposite to the other end portion thereof connected to the second memberis moved toward the other end portion of the first lever. Since the twopressing plates are attached to the one end portion of the first memberand the other end portion of the first lever, respectively, thosepressing plates are moved toward each other. Thus, in the present tapeconnecting tool, when the first and second members of the second leverare pivoted relative to each other, the two pressing plates are movedtoward each other. Therefore, it is not needed to couple the first andsecond levers to each other via an axis member such that the two leverscross each other at the axis member. Thus, each of the two levers iseasily provided by a hollow member which is formed of a considerablythin plate and has a considerably high rigidity.

[0026] (18) According to an eighteenth feature of the present inventionwhich includes the sixteenth or seventeenth feature (16) or (17), thetape connecting tool further comprises at least one tape hold-downmember which is provided on the one pressing surface from which thepositioning projections project, the tape hold-down member elasticallyholding down the first and second tapes against the one pressingsurface. In this case, after the operator sets the respective endportions of the two tapes on one pressing plate such that those endportions are positioned by the positioning projections projecting fromthe one pressing plate, he or she uses the two tape hold-down members tohold down the two end portions, respectively, against the one pressingsurface. Thus, the operator can easily set the respective end portionsof two tapes on the tape connecting tool. It is preferred to employ twotape hold-down members so that the two hold-down members hold down therespective end portions of two tapes against the one pressing surface.However, even in the case where the tape connecting tool employs onlyone tape hold-down member which holds down only one of the two endportions, the operator can enjoy the advantage to some extent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and optional objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will be better understood by reading the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electric-component (“EC”) carrier tapewhich is connected to another EC carrier tape by a tape connectingmethod as an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectioned view of the EC carrier tapeof FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a EC supplying device which holdsand feeds the EC carrier tape of FIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a tape connecting member as an embodimentof the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the tape connecting member ofFIG. 4;

[0033]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the tape connecting member ofFIG. 4;

[0034]FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a caulking tape connecting member ofFIG. 4;

[0035]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of another caulking tape connectingmember of FIG. 4;

[0036]FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a tape connecting tool as anembodiment of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the tape connecting tool ofFIG. 9;

[0038]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectioned, side elevation view showing thestate in which the two EC carrier tapes each shown in FIG. 1 and thetape connecting member of FIG. 4 are positioned relative to the tapeconnecting tool of FIG. 9;

[0039]FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a tape hold-down member ofthe tape connecting tool of FIG. 9;

[0040]FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the tape hold-down member ofFIG. 12; and

[0041]FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of a pressing plate of the tapeconnecting tool of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Hereinafter, there will be described respective preferredembodiments of the tape connecting method, the tape connecting member,and the tape connecting tool of the present invention, by reference tothe drawings.

[0043] In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 designates anelectric-component (“EC”) carrier tape which carries a number of SOpackages 12 each as a sort of electric component (“EC”). Each SO package12 is a flat package which has lead wires projecting laterally from eachof two opposite side surfaces thereof. The EC carrier tape 10 is woundaround a tape reel 14, shown in FIG. 3, which is held by a tape holdingdevice 16. The EC carrier tape 10 includes a EC accommodating tape 20and a top tape 22 which cooperate with each other to carry the SOpackages 12. The EC accommodating tape 20 includes a main tape member 24formed of card, and a bottom tape member 26 adhered to the back surfaceof the main tape member 24. The main tape member 24 has, in a widthwisemiddle portion thereof, a number of through-holes formed through athickness thereof, at a regular pitch in a lengthwise direction thereof.The bottom tape member 26 closes respective lower openings of thethrough-holes of the main tape member 24, thereby defining a number ofEC accommodating pockets 28 at the regular pitch. Each EC accommodatingpocket 28 accommodates one SO package 12. The top tape 22 is adhered toa top surface 29 of the EC accommodating tape 20, thereby closingrespective upper openings of the EC accommodating pockets 28. Inaddition, the EC accommodating tape 20 has, in one 31 of widthwise endportions thereof which is elongate parallel to a lengthwise directionthereof, an array of tape-feed holes 32 which are formed through athickness thereof between the top surface 29 and a back surface 30thereof, at a regular pitch in the lengthwise direction thereof. A tapefeeding device 34 feeds the EC carrier tape 10 at a predeterminedfeeding pitch in a tape feeding direction, and a top-tape peeling device36 peels the top tape 22 from the EC accommodating tape 20. The leadingone of the EC accommodating pockets 28 from which the top tape 22 hasbeen peeled is fed to an EC pick-up position where the SO package 12accommodated in the leading pocket 28 is picked up by a vacuum-suctionnozzle of a EC-suction head (not shown). This is the EC supplyingoperation. When the EC supplying operation advances and the EC carriertape 10 comes to its end, an operator supplies a new EC carrier tape 10.First, the operator detaches the tape reel 14 on which the tape 10 iscoming to its end, and subsequently attaches a new tape reel 14 aroundwhich a new tape 10 is wound. Last, as shown in FIG. 11, the operatorconnects a terminal end portion 37 of the prior tape 10 currentlysupplying the SO packages 12, and an initial end portion 38 of the newtape 10 subsequently supplying the SO packages 12, to each other, usinga tape connecting member 40.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tape connecting member 40 includesa flat main portion 42 which is formed of a generally rectangular metalplate; a plurality of tape-feed holes 44 (three tape-feed holes 44, inthe present embodiment) which are formed through a thickness of the flatmain portion 42 at the same regular pitch as that of the EC carriertapes 10 in a lengthwise direction of the main portion 42; and aplurality of caulking projections 46 (eight caulking projections 46, inthe present embodiment) which project from the flat main portion 42 in adirection perpendicular thereto. The main portion 42 has a width whichis not greater than twice a distance between the center of each of thetape-feed holes 32 of each EC carrier tape 10 and a side edge of thewidthwise end portion 31 of the carrier tape 10. Each of the caulkingprojections 46 has a height greater than the thickness of each ECcarrier tape 10. In the present embodiment, the eight caulkingprojections 46 include two sorts of projections, i.e., four Y-shapedprojections 50 two of which project from one of lengthwise opposite endportions of the main portion 42 and the other two of which project fromthe other lengthwise end portion of the main portion 42; and fourinverted-J-shaped projections 52 two of which project from a firstintermediate portion of the main portion 42 between one pair of adjacenttape-feed holes 44 of the three tape-feed holes 44 and the other two ofwhich project from a second intermediate portion of the main portion 42between the other pair of adjacent tape-feed holes 44 of the threetape-feed holes 44. Thus, the two pairs of Y-shaped projections 50 areprovided at two locations, respectively, which are apart from each otherin the lengthwise direction of the main portion 42, and similarly thetwo pairs of inverted-J-shaped projections 52 are provided at twolocations, respectively, which are apart from each other in thelengthwise direction of the main portion 42. A distance between thecenter of each of opposite end tape-feed holes 44 of the three tape-feedholes 44 and a corresponding pair of Y-shaped projections 50 is equal tothat between that center and a corresponding pair of inverted-J-shapedprojections 52.

[0045] The two pairs of Y-shaped projections 50 are formed by bendingtwo pairs of projecting portions which respectively project from thelengthwise opposite ends of the flat main portion 42 in oppositedirections parallel to the plane of the main portion 42, such that thebent projecting portions extend in the same direction perpendicular tothe plane of the main portion 42, as shown in FIG. 5. Each pair ofY-shaped projections 50 are arranged in the widthwise direction of themain portion 42, as shown in FIG. 6. Each Y-shaped projection 50includes a bifurcated upper portion 53 which gives a generally Y-shapeconfiguration thereto. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 7, eachY-shaped projection 50 includes a base portion 54 having a trapezoidalshape. The width of the base portion 54 decreases in a direction towardthe upper portion 53, which is formed in a range corresponding to themaximum width of the base portion 54. Each inverted-J-shaped projection52 is formed by cutting, and then bending, a portion of the main portion42 such that the bent portion extends perpendicularly to a remainingportion of the main portion 42, as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the mainportion 42 has four openings each having a shape corresponding to eachinverted-J-shaped projection 52, as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in theenlarged view of FIG. 8, each inverted-J-shaped projection 52 has agenerally inverted-J-shaped configuration wherein an upper portion 55 ofthe projection 52 is curved in a direction having a component parallelto a widthwise direction of the projection 52. The inverted-J-shapedcurved portion 55 is formed by forming a recess 56 in an inner one ofwidthwise opposite end portions of the projection 52 and forming anupper end edge 58 which is inclined such that one of opposite ends ofthe upper end edge 58 on the side of the inner end portion is moredistant from the main portion 42 than the other end of the same 58 onthe side of the other, outer end portion. The recess 56 is defined by agenerally concave curve. Thus, the curved portion 55 is formed in arange corresponding to a width of a base portion 59 of the projection52. Like each pair of Y-shaped projections 50, each pair ofinverted-J-shaped projections 52 are formed side by side in thewidthwise direction of the main portion 42, and the two projections 52are symmetrical with each other such that the respective curved portions55 thereof extend inward toward each other.

[0046] Next, there will be described a tape connecting tool 60 forconnecting the terminal end portion 37 of the prior EC carrier tape 10and the initial end portion 38 of the new EC carrier tape 10 using theabove-described tape connecting member 40.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the tape connecting tool 60 includesa first and a second lever 62, 64 each of which has an elongate shape.The first and second levers 62, 64 are joined to each other via an axismember 66, such that the two levers 62, 64 are pivotable relative toeach other. The axis member 66 is located near respective front endportions of the two levers 62, 64 (i.e., left-hand end portions as seenin FIG. 9), and extends in a widthwise direction perpendicular to alengthwise direction of the tool 60. Two handle members 68, 70 are fixedto respective rear end portions of the two levers 62, 64 (i.e.,right-hand end portions as seen in FIG. 9), to provide a pair ofhandles. In addition, two pressing plates 72, 74 are fixed to therespective front end portions of the two levers 62, 64.

[0048] The first lever 62 includes a main member 76 which includes twoside plates 78, 80 each extending in a lengthwise direction of the lever62. The two side plates 78, 80 are connected to each other by aplurality of connecting pins 82 extending in the widthwise direction ofthe tool 60, such that the two side plates 78, 80 are not movablerelative to each other. The first handle member 68 is formed of asynthetic resin to have an inverted-U-shaped cross section, and isfitted on, and fixed to, the main member 76 such that a lower opening ofthe inverted-U-shaped handle member 68 is located on the side of thesecond lever 64. The first pressing plate 72 is connected to the frontend portion of the main member 76 via an axis member 84 which extends inthe widthwise direction of the tool 60. The first pressing plate 72 hasan inverted-T-shaped cross section, and includes a connection portion 86which is fitted in the main member 76 and is connected to the mainmember 76 via the axis member 84, and a main portion 90 which has apressing surface 88 whose width is greater than that of the connectionportion 86. The axis member 84 connects the pressing plate 72 to thefirst lever 62 such that the pressing plate 72 is pivotable relative tothe main member 76. Since, however, the main portion 90 having the widthgreater than that of the connection portion 86 is held in contact withthe main member 76, it is substantially impossible that the pressingplate 72 be pivotable relative to the first lever 62.

[0049] The second lever 64 includes a first and a second member 100,102. A rear end portion of the first member 100 and a front end portionof the second member 102, that is, respective connection portions 103 ofthe two members 100, 102 are connected to each other via an axis member104 such that the two members 100, 102 are pivotable relative to eachother. The connection portions 103 are slightly spaced rearward from theaxis member 66 in the lengthwise direction of the tool 60, and the axismember 103 extends parallel to the axis member 66. The first and secondmembers 100, 102 have generally the same width, but the width of therear end portion of the first member 100 is smaller than that of thesecond member 102. The rear end portion of the first member 100 isfitted in the front end portion of the second member 102, and the axismember 104 connects the rear and front end portions of the first andsecond members 100, 102, i.e., the respective connection portions 103 ofthe two members 100, 102, to each other. In addition, the two members100, 102 have generally the same width as that of the main member 76 ofthe first lever 62, but the width of an intermediate portion of thefirst member 100 on the side of the first lever 62 is smaller than thatof the main member 76. Thus, the intermediate portion of the firstmember 100 is fitted in the main member 76, and the axis member 66connects the first member 100 to the first lever 62.

[0050] Like the main member 76 of the first lever 62, each of the firstand second members 100, 102 includes two side plates which extend in thelengthwise direction of the tool 60, and a plurality of connecting pinswhich cooperate with each other to connect the two side plates to eachother such that the two side plates are not movable relative to eachother. The second handle member 70 similar to the first handle member 68is fitted on, and fixed to, a rear end portion of the second member 102.

[0051] The second pressing plate 74 is connected to a front end portionof the first member 100 via an axis member 114. Symmetrically with thefirst pressing plate 74, the second pressing plate 74 has a generallyT-shaped cross section, and includes a connection portion 116 which isfitted in the first member 100, and a main portion 120 which has apressing surface 118 whose width is greater than that of the connectionportion 116. Like the first pressing plate 72, it is substantiallyimpossible that the second pressing plate 74 be pivoted relative to thefirst member 100. The two pressing plates 72, 74 are held by the twolevers 62, 64, respectively, such that the respective pressing surfaces88, 118 of the two plates 72, 74 are opposed to each other and such thata front end portion and widthwise opposite end portions of the secondpressing plate 74 extend over the first pressing plate 72. The front endportion of the second pressing plate 74 which extends over the firstpressing plate 72 has a stepped surface 121 which is stepped from thesecond pressing surface 118 and extends in the widthwise direction ofthe tool 60. A plurality of stoppers 123 are provided along a line ofintersection of the second pressing surface 118 and a plane containingrespective axis lines of the two axis members 84, 114. The stoppers 123cooperate with each other to define a minimum distance between the twopressing surfaces 88, 118 when the two surfaces 88, 118 are moved towardeach other.

[0052] The second member 102 includes a projecting portion 126 whichprojects, near the connection portions 103, toward the main member 76 ofthe first lever 62, from an inner end surface 124 (i.e., upper endsurface as seen in FIG. 9) of the second member 102 which is opposed toan inner end surface 122 (i.e. lower end surface as seen in FIG. 9) ofthe main member 76. The axis member 66 is provided with a torsion coilspring (not shown) having two arms one of which is engaged with one ofthe connecting pins 82 of the first lever 62 and the other of which isengaged with one of the connecting pins of the first member 100 of thesecond lever 64. Thus, the first lever 62 and the first member 100 ofthe second lever 64 are biased by the coil spring in a direction inwhich the two pressing surfaces 88, 118 are moved away from each other.Therefore, in an inoperative state of the tool 60 in which the operatordoes not apply any force to the handle members 68, 70, the end surface122 of the main member 76 of the first lever 62 is held in contact withthe projecting portion 126 of the second member 102 of the second lever64 and the two handle members 68, 70 are stably kept apart from eachother. When the operator's hand grasps the two handle members 68, 70 andapplies a sufficiently great force against the biasing force of thetorsion coil spring to move the two handle members 68, 70 toward eachother, the respective engaged portions of the projecting portion 126 andthe end surface 122 cooperate with each other to define a fulcrum forthe front end portion of the second member 102 to be pivoted in adirection away from the first lever 62. Consequently the first member100 is pivoted about the axis member 104, so that the front end portionof the first member 100 is moved toward the first lever 62. Since thefront end portion of the first member 100 is moved toward the firstlever 62, the pressing surface 88 of the first pressing plate 72 and thepressing surface 118 of the second pressing plate 74 are moved towardeach other.

[0053] A plurality of positioning projections 130, 131, 132, 133, 134,135 (i.e., six projections, in the present embodiment) project from thepressing surface 118 of the second pressing plate 74, such that theprojections 130-135 are arranged in an array in the widthwise directionof the tool 60. Each of the projections 130-135 has a diameter slightlysmaller than that of each tape-feed hole 32, 44 of each EC carrier tape10 or the tape connecting member 40. The projections 130-135 projecttoward the pressing surface 88 of the first pressing plate 72. The twoend projections 130, 135 are provided at two locations, respectively,which are apart from widthwise opposite ends of the first pressing plate72, respectively. In the present embodiment, the distance between thetwo projections 131, 132 or the distance between the two projections133, 134 is equal to the regular pitch of the tape-feed holes 32, 34.However, the distance between the two projections 132, 133 is equal totwice the regular pitch. Likewise, the distance between the twoprojections 130, 131 or the distance between the two projections 134,135 is equal to twice the regular pitch. That is, it is possible todetermine the distance between each pair of adjacent projections of thesix projections 130-135, at an appropriate multiple of the regularpitch.

[0054] As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 14, the pressing surface 88of the first pressing plate 72 has, at respective positionscorresponding to the four positioning projections 131-134, four recesses136, 137, 138, 139 (i.e., through-holes 136-139, in the presentembodiment) for receiving the four projections 131-134, respectively. Onboth sides of the hole 137, there are formed two guide surfaces 158,159, respectively; and on both sides of the hole 138, there are formedtwo guide surfaces 160, 161, respectively. The two guide surfaces 158,161 define opposite directions, respectively, in which the correspondingtwo pairs of Y-shaped projections 50 are buckled; and the two guidesurfaces 159, 160 define opposite directions, respectively, in which thecorresponding two pairs of inverted-J-shaped projections 52 are buckled.One pair of guide surfaces 158, 159 are inclined such that the distancebetween the two surfaces 158, 159 decreases in a direction away from thepressing surface 88. Therefore, the corresponding one pair of Y-shapedprojections 50 and the corresponding one pair of inverted-J-shapedprojections 52 are buckled in opposite directions, respectively, so thatthe distance between the free end portions (i.e., upper portions 52) ofthe projections 50 and the free end portions (i.e., curved portions 55)of the projections 52 decreases. The two guide surfaces 158, 159cooperate with two more gentle inclined surfaces 162, 163, respectively,to define two V-shaped grooves, respectively. The bottom of eachV-shaped groove is so rounded to provide a smooth transition from theguide surface 158 or 159 to the corresponding inclined surface 162 or163. These are true with the two guide surfaces 160, 161 which cooperatewith two more gentle inclined surfaces 164, 165 to define two V-shapedgrooves, respectively.

[0055] Two tape hold-down members 140, 142 are attached to two locationson the pressing surface 118 which are outside the two end positioningprojections 130, 135, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each ofthe tape hold-down members 140, 142 includes a hold-down portion 144 andan operative portion 146 which are formed by curving a belt-like metalplate at an intermediate portion thereof. Each hold-down member 140, 142additionally includes a cylindrical boss member 148 which is fixed tothe curved intermediate portion between the two portions 144, 146. Eachof the two boss members 148 is attached to the pressing plate 74 via anaxis member 150 and a bracket 152. Each of the two brackets 152 includesa pair of side portions 154 which support axially opposite end portionsof the corresponding axis member 150 whose axially intermediate portionpasses through the corresponding boss member 148. Each bracket 152 isfixed, by an appropriate means or method such as spot welding, to thepressing plate 74. Thus, the two tape hold-down members 140, 142 areattached to the pressing plate 74 such that each hold-down member 140,142 is pivotable relative to the pressing plate 74. Each of the two axismembers 150 is provided with a torsion coil spring 156 as a sort ofbiasing member, and is biased by the coil spring 156 in a direction inwhich the hold-down portion 144 of the corresponding tape hold-downmember 140, 142 is elastically pressed against the pressing surface 118of the pressing plate 74. When the operator depresses the operativeportion 146 of each tape hold-down member 140, 142, the correspondinghold-down portion 144 is moved away from the pressing surface 118against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 156.

[0056] Next, there will be described the manner in which two EC carriertapes 10 are connected to each other using the tape connecting tool 60constructed as described above.

[0057] While the tape connecting tool 60 is not used, the tool 60 isheld in the above-described stable state in which the respectivepressing plates 72, 74, and respective handle members 68, 70, of thefirst and second leers 62, 64 are apart from each other. In this state,the two positioning projections 132, 133 of the pressing surface 118 arepassed through the two end tape-feed holes 44 of the three tape-feedholes 44 of the tape connecting member 40, so that the connecting member40 is positioned relative to the pressing surface 118. The two pairs ofY-shaped projections 50 respectively provided on the lengthwise oppositeends of the tape connecting member 40 correspond to a first intermediateposition between one pair of adjacent projections 131, 132 and a secondintermediate position between another pair of adjacent projections 133,134, respectively. Subsequently, the operator depresses the operativeportion 146 of the first tape hold-down member 140, thereby moving thecorresponding hold-down portion 144 away from the pressing surface 118.In this state, the three positioning projections 130, 131, 132 arepassed through the three tape-feed holes 32, respectively, of theterminal end portion 37 of the EC carrier tape 10 which currentlysupplies the SO packages 12. Then, the operator releases the operativeportion 146, thereby causing the corresponding hold-down portion 144 tohold down the terminal end portion 37. Similarly, the operator depressesthe operative portion 146 of the second tape hold-down member 142,thereby moving the corresponding hold-down portion 144 away from thepressing surface 118. In this state, the three positioning projections133, 134, 135 are passed through the three tape-feed holes 32,respectively, of the initial end portion 38 of the EC carrier tape 10which next supplies the SO packages 12. Then, the operator releases theoperative portion 146, thereby causing the corresponding hold-downportion 144 to hold down the initial end portion 38. Thus, the tapeconnecting member 40 and the two EC carrier tapes 10 are positioned onthe pressing surface 118. In this state, shown in FIG. 11, one endtape-feed hole 44 of the connecting member 40 is aligned with onetape-feed hole 32 of the terminal end potion 37 of the current ECcarrier tape 10, the other end tape-feed hole 44 of the connectingmember 40 is aligned with one tape-feed hole 32 of the initial endpotion 38 of the next EC carrier tape 10, and the central tape-feed hole44 of the connecting member 40 is aligned with respective half orsemi-circular tape-feed holes 32 of the two end portions 37, 38. Inaddition, one pair of inverted-J-shaped projections 52 are positioned ata position between the half tape-feed hole 32 and its adjacent fulltape-feed hole 32 of the terminal end portion 37, and the other pair ofinverted-J-shaped projections 52 are positioned at a position betweenthe half tape-feed hole 32 and its adjacent full tape-feed hole 32 ofthe initial end portion 38. And, one pair of Y-shaped projections 50 arepositioned at a position between a pair of adjacent full tape-feed holes32 of the terminal end portion 37, and the other pair of Y-shapedprojections 50 are positioned at a position between a pair of adjacentfull tape-feed holes 32 of the initial end portion 38. Thus, the settingof the two carrier tapes 10 on the tool 60 is finished.

[0058] Next, when the operator grasps the two handle members 68, 70,thereby moving the two handle members 68, 70 toward each other, thefirst and second members 100, 102 of the second lever 64 are pivotedrelative to each other so that the second lever 64 is extended into asubstantially straight state. Thus, the second pressing plate 74 ismoved toward the first pressing plate 72. As the two pressing plates 72,74 are moved toward each other, the pressing surface 88 presses therespective upper surfaces 29 of the two EC carrier tapes 10, and thepressing surface 118 presses the tape connecting member 40, so that therespective upper portions 53 of the four Y-shaped projections 50 and thecurved portions 55 of the four inverted-J-shaped projections 52penetrate through the thickness of the carrier tapes 10 and project outof the upper surfaces 29 of the carrier tapes 10. Thus, the two pairs ofupper portions 53 and the two pairs of curved portions 55 engage thefour guide surfaces 158-161, respectively. When the two pressing plates72, 74 are further moved toward each other from this state, the twopairs of upper portions 53 and the two pairs of curved portions 55 arebuckled by being guided by the four guide surfaces 158-161, such thatthe distance between one pair of upper portions 53 and the correspondingpair of curved portions 55 decreases and likewise the distance betweenthe other pair of upper portions 53 and the corresponding, other pair ofcurved portions 55 decreases. And, when the two pressing plates 72, 74are further moved toward each other, the two pairs of upper portions 53and the two pairs of curved portions 55 are bent by the four inclinedsurfaces 162-166, respectively, and are completely flattened. Thetransition of the upper portions 53 and the curved portions 55 from theguide surfaces 158-161 to the inclined surfaces 162-165 are smoothlyperformed by the rounded bottoms of the V-shaped grooves between thesurfaces 158-161 and the corresponding surfaces 162-165. When eachY-shaped projection 50 is flattened, the bifurcated upper portion 53thereof is flattened by the corresponding guide surface 158, 161 and thecorresponding inclined surface 162, 165, such that the two arms of the Yshape are opened outward; and when each inverted-J-shaped projection 52is flattened, the curved upper portion 55 thereof is flattened by thecorresponding guide surface 159, 160 and the corresponding inclinedsurface 163, 164, in a direction having a component parallel to thewidthwise direction of the projection 52. In a state in which the flatmain portion 42 of the tape connecting member 40 is held in closecontact with the respective back surfaces 30 of the two carrier tapes10, respective portions of the Y-shaped and inverted-J-shapedprojections 50, 52 that penetrate out of the upper surfaces 29 of thetwo carrier tapes 10 have completely been flattened. Thus, the tapeconnecting member 40 is prevented from coming off the carrier tapes 10,and the two carrier tapes 1d0 are securely connected to each other. Inthis state, respective free end portions of the four positioningprojections 131-134 provided on the pressing surface 118 project fromthe respective upper surfaces 29 of the two carrier tapes 10. However,the four projections 131-134 are safely received by the four holes136-139 formed in the pressing surface 88 of the first pressing plate72, respectively. Thus, the two pressing plates 72, 74 are safely movedtoward each other. In addition, since the movement of the two plates 72,74 toward each other is stopped by the stoppers 123, the carrier tapes10 and the caulking projections 50, 52 are effectively prevented frombeing excessively flattened, i.e., being broken.

[0059] After the two EC carrier tapes 10 are connected to each other inthis way, the operator releases the two handle members 68, 70 of thetool 60. In response thereto, the front end portion of the first member100 is moved apart from the first lever 62 by the biasing action of thetorsion coil spring (not shown), so that the respective pressingsurfaces 88, 118 of the two pressing plates 72, 74 are returned to theirinitial state in which the two pressing surfaces 88, 118 are kept apartfrom each other. In this state, the operator moves the respectivehold-down portions 144 of the two tape hold-down members 140, 142, apartfrom the pressing surface 118, and removes the connected end portions37, 38 of the two carrier tapes 10 from the tape connecting tool 60.

[0060] In the present embodiment, each EC carrier tape 10 has a constantthickness over its entire length including the terminal or initial endportion 37, 38. Therefore, only the upper portions 53 and the curvedportions 55 of the Y-shaped and inverted-J-shaped projections 50, 52project from the upper surface 29 of the carrier tape 10, and only thoseportions 53, 55 are caulked. Since the length of each of the respectiveportions of the Y-shaped and inverted-J-shaped projections 50, 52 thatproject from the upper surface 29 of the carrier tape 10 is short, theeach projecting portion can not easily be buckled. Since, however, therespective widths of the portions 53, 55 of the projections 50, 52 aresmaller than those of the remaining portions of the same 50, 52 andsimultaneously are curved in a direction having a component parallel tothe widthwise direction thereof, the portions 53, 55 are easilyflattened in the direction having the component parallel to thewidthwise direction. Thus, the tape connecting member 40 is effectiveprevented from coming off the carrier tapes 10. Thus, the terminal endportion 37 of the current tape 10 and the initial end portion 38 of thenext tape 10 are securely connected to each other.

[0061] On the other hand, in the case where two embossed-type EC carriertapes are connected to each other using the tape connecting member 40and the tape connecting tool 60, respective end portions of thosecarrier tapes which are to be connected to each other are much thinnerthan those of the card-based EC carrier tapes 10. Therefore, not onlythe upper and curved portions 53, 55 of the Y-shaped andinverted-J-shaped projections 50, 52 but also respective considerableproportions of the base portions 54, 59 of the same 50, 52 penetratethrough the thickness of the end portions of the embossed-type tapes andproject from the same, and those long projecting portions can becaulked. However, the minimum distance between the two pressing surfaces88, 118 is defined by the height of the stoppers 123. Therefore, theY-shaped and inverted-J-shaped projections 50, 52 are not caulked tosuch an extent that the long projecting portions thereof entirelycontact the upper surfaces of the carrier tapes. That is, respectiveintermediate portions of the projections 50, 52 are kept apart from theupper surfaces of the carrier tapes. However, the upper and curvedportions 53, 55 are kept in close contact with the upper surfaces of thecarrier tapes, and cooperate with the main portion 42 to sandwich theto-be-connected end portions of the two carrier tapes. That is, theterminal and initial end portions of the two embossed-type carrier tapesare securely connected to each other. If two embossed-type carrier tapesare connected to each other using a tape connecting tool without anystoppers 123, the Y-shaped and inverted-J-shaped projections 50, 52 arecompletely caulked, those embossed-type tapes would be excessivelyflattened and be widened laterally outward. This problem is effectivelyavoided by the stoppers 123. In the case where the tape connectingmember 40 and the tape connecting tool 60 are used for connecting twoembossed-type EC carrier tapes to each other, the stepped portion 121formed in the second pressing plate 74 receives the respective embossedportions of the carrier tapes. Thus, the two embossed-type tapes aresecurely connected to each other while the embossed portions thereof areeffectively prevented from being damaged.

[0062] As is apparent from the foregoing description of the preferredembodiment, the axis member 104 provides a first axis member; and theaxis member 66 provides a second axis member. The projecting portion 126of the second member 102 of the second lever 64 and the portion of themain member 76 of the first lever 62 that corresponds to the projectingportion 126 cooperate with each other to define a pair offulcrum-defining portions; and the first and second levers 62, 64, theaxis members 66, 104, and the fulcrum-defining portions cooperate withone another to provide a pressing mechanism.

[0063] Thus, the tape connecting member 40 and the tape connecting tool60 are applicable to not only the card-based EC carrier tapes 10 or theembossed-type EC carrier tapes but also other sorts of EC carrier tapeshaving various thickness values.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, each pair of Y-shaped projections50 and a corresponding pair of inverted-J-shaped projections 52 arecaulked such that the distance between the respective bifurcatedportions 53 of the projections 50 and the respective curved portions 55of the projections 52 decreases and such that the two caulked bifurcatedportions 53 or the two caulked curved portions 55 extend substantiallysymmetrically with each other with respect to a straight line parallelto the lengthwise direction of the main portion 42. Therefore, when thecaulking projections 46 are caulked, substantially no error occurs tothe relative position between the tape connecting member 40 and each ECcarrier tape 10. In addition, the connecting member 40 is connected toeach carrier tape 10 so strongly that the projections 50, 52 areprevented from coming off the carrier tape 10. Meanwhile, the width ofthe bifurcated portion 53 of each Y-shaped projection 50 or the width ofthe curved portion 55 of each inverted-J-shaped projection 52 is smallerthan that of the base portion of the each projection 50 or that of thebase portion of the each projection 52, respectively. Therefore, whenthe bifurcated or curved portion 53 or 55 penetrates each carrier tape10, no excessively large hole is formed in the tape 10. If, otherwise,the bifurcated or curved portion 53 or 55 would project laterally fromthe base portion of the corresponding projection 50 or 52, the baseportion would be loose in an excessively large hole which is formed inthe tape 10 as a result of the penetration of the laterally projectingportion 53 or 55, and would be allowed to move relative to the tape 10.Thus, the accuracy of positioning of the connecting member 40 relativeto the tape 10 would be lowered. This leads to lowering the accuracy ofpositioning of the two tapes 10 relative to each other. In contrast, theabove illustrated tape connecting method, member 40, and tool 60 enjoy asatisfactory tape-positioning accuracy. In addition, since the width ofthe bifurcated or curved portion 53 or 55 is smaller than that of thebase portion of the corresponding projection 50 or 52, the portion 53 or55 is easily be caulked and accordingly is well prevented from beingbuckled at the base portion. Thus, the connecting member 40 canadvantageously connect the two tapes 10 to each other.

[0065] Moreover, the second member 102 of the second lever 64 isconstructed such that the distance between the projecting portion 126functioning as one of the fulcrum-defining portions, and the axis member104 is larger than that between the projecting portion 126 and themiddle portion of the handle member 70. Therefore, the operator cancaulk, with a considerably small force, the caulking projections 46 ofthe tape connecting member 40. However, the first or second lever 62 or64 is not limited to its illustrated construction but may be embodied inother manners. For example, the tape connecting tool 60 may include afirst and a second lever which cross each other like a pair of scissorsand which are coupled to each other such that the two levers arepivotable relative to each other about an axis member extending throughthe respective crossing portions thereof.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the two pairs of Y-shapedprojections 50 are provided at the lengthwise opposite end portions ofthe tape connecting member 40 (i.e., the flat main portion 42 thereof),respectively, and the two pairs of inverted-J-shaped projections 52 areprovided between the opposite end portions of the connecting member 40,such that the two pairs of projections 52 are apart from each other inthe lengthwise direction of the member 40. However, the positions wherethe projections 46 (50, 52) are provided may be changed, as needed, andthe shapes of the same 46 may be changed, as needed.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the tape connecting member 40connects the two EC carrier tapes 10 to each other such that in thestate in which the flat main portion 42 thereof closely contacts therespective back surfaces 30 of the two tapes 10, the caulkingprojections 46 projecting from the upper surfaces 29 of the same 10 arecaulked. However, it is possible that the connecting member 40 connectthe two tapes 10 such that in the state in which the main portion 42closely contacts the respective upper surfaces 29 of the two tapes 10,the caulking projections 46 projecting from the back surfaces 30 of thesame 10 are caulked.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the tape connecting tool 60requires the operator to manually set one tape connecting member 40 eachtime the tool 60 connects two EC carrier tapes 10 to each other.However, it is possible to modify the tool 60 such that the operatorsuccessively connect, with a plurality of tape connecting members 40, aplurality of pairs of EC carrier tapes 10, respectively. For example,like in a stapler, a plurality of tape connecting members 40 which areadhered to each other in the widthwise direction thereof are set in themodified tool 60 such that each of the members 40 can be separated fromthe other members 40 and be fed to the tape-connecting position wherethe each member 40 connects two tapes 10 to each other. In the lastcase, it is preferred that at least one pair of the two pairs ofprojections 50 which are provided at the lengthwise opposite endportions of each member 40, respectively, project from the widthwiseopposite end portions, respectively, of the corresponding lengthwiseopposite end portion of the each member 40. The at least one pair ofprojections 50 also function as guided portions which are guided whenthe each member 40 is fed in the modified tool 60.

[0069] It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodiedwith other changes, improvements, and modifications that may occur tothe person skilled in the art without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape connecting tool for connecting respectiveone end portions of a first tape and a second tape, to each other, eachof the first and second tapes having a plurality of tape-feed holes at apredetermined pitch, comprising: a pair of pressing plates havingrespective pressing surfaces which are opposed to each other; a pressingmechanism which supports the two pressing plates such that the twopressing plates are movable toward, and away from, each other and whichmoves the respective pressing surfaces of the two pressing plates towardopposite surfaces of each of the respective one end portions of thefirst and second tapes, respectively; a plurality of positioningprojections which project, in an array, from one of the respectivepressing surfaces of the two pressing plates, and which fit in at leastone of the tape-feed holes of the first tape and at least one of thetape-feed holes of the second tape and thereby position the first andsecond tapes relative to one of the two pressing plates which has saidone pressing surface; and a plurality of receiving holes which areformed in the other pressing surface such that the receiving holes areopposed to the positioning projections, respectively, and which receivethe positioning projections, respectively, which pass through therespective tape-feed holes of the first and second tapes, when the twopressing plates are moved toward each other by the pressing mechanism.2. A tape connecting tool according to claim 1, wherein the pressingmechanism comprises: a first lever having an elongate shape; a secondlever including a first member, a second member, and a first axis memberwhich connects the first and second members to each other such that thefirst and second members are pivotable relative to each other about thefirst axis member; a second axis member which extends parallel to thefirst axis member at a position distant from the first axis member in alengthwise direction of the first lever and which connects the firstlever and the first member to each other such that the first lever andthe first member are pivotable relative to each other about the secondaxis member; the first lever and the second member including respectivefulcrum-defining portions which, when one of opposite end portions ofthe second member that is opposite to the other end portion thereofconnected by the first axis member to the first member, and acorresponding one of opposite end portions of the first lever are movedtoward each other, engage each other to define a fulcrum for the firstand second members of the second lever to be pivoted relative to eachother about the first axis member; and the two pressing plates beingattached to one of opposite end portions of the first member that isopposite to the other end portion thereof connected by the first axismember to the second member, and the other end portion of the firstlever, respectively.
 3. A tape connecting tool according to claim 1,further comprising at least one tape hold-down member which is providedon said one pressing surface from which the positioning projectionsproject, the tape hold-down member elastically holding down the firstand second tapes against said one pressing surface.
 4. An apparatus forconnecting respective one end portions of a first tape and a secondtape, to each other, each of the first and second tapes having aplurality of tape-feed holes at a first pitch, the apparatus comprising:a tape connecting member; and a tape connecting tool, the tapeconnecting member including: a flat main portion which has a pluralityof tape-feed holes at a second pitch, and a plurality of caulkingprojections which project from the flat main portion in a directionperpendicular thereto, wherein the tape connecting member is alignedwith the respective one end portions of the first and second tapes, suchthat at least one first hole of the tape-feed holes of the tapeconnecting member is aligned with at least one of the tape-feed holes ofthe first tape and at least one second hole of the tape-feed holes ofthe tape connecting member is aligned with at least one of the tape-feedholes of the second tape, the tape connecting tool including: a pair ofpressing plates having respective pressing surfaces which are opposed toeach other, a pressing mechanism which supports the two pressing platessuch that the two pressing plates are movable toward, and away from,each other and which moves the respective pressing surfaces of the twopressing plates toward opposite surfaces of each of the respective oneend portions of the first and second tapes, respectively, a plurality ofpositioning projections which project, in an array, from one of therespective pressing surfaces of the two pressing plates, and which fitin said first and second tape-feed holes of the tape connecting member,said at least one tape-feed hole of the first tape and said at least onetape-feed hole of the second tape and thereby position the tapeconnecting member and the first and second tapes relative to one of thetwo pressing plates which has said one pressing surface, and a pluralityof receiving holes which are formed in the other pressing surface suchthat the receiving holes are opposed to the positioning projections,respectively, and which receive the positioning projections,respectively, which pass through the first and second tape-feed holes ofthe tape connecting member and the respective tape-feed holes of thefirst and second tapes, when the two pressing plates are moved towardeach other by the pressing mechanism, wherein when the two pressingplates are moved toward each other by the pressing mechanism, at leastone first projection of the caulking projections of the tape connectingmember penetrates through a thickness of the first tape, and at leastone second projection of the caulking projections penetrates through athickness of the second tape, so that the flat main portion of the tapeconnecting member contacts one of opposite surfaces of the first tapeand one of opposite surfaces of the second tape, and respective portionsof the first and second projections that penetrate out of the respectiveother surfaces of the first and second tapes are caulked by the otherpressing surface, so that the respective one end portions of the firstand second carrier tapes are connected to each other.